Purse Palooza – Pattern Review – Noodlehead Super Tote

This post is part of Purse Palooza 2015. For full details and contest rules, check here.
Today’s post is from Sandi of Crafty Planner.

I am excited to share my modified Super Tote bag for Sara’s annual Purse Palooza event. So many amazing bags have been made in the past (and this round!) that it is an honor to create something.

My inspiration

When Sara asked me what bag I wanted to make, I immediately thought of the Super Tote pattern by Noodlehead. It is one of the very first bags I made and holds a special place in my bag making journey. At the time, a friend of mine and I decided we were going to tackle the pattern together. We worked on it over two sewing days and learned so much about bag assembly, piping and gussets. It is the first bag I grab when I am running out the door and easily my favorite handmade bag. You can see it here:

When I made this bag, I modified it to have one long cross body strap, no recessed zipper, no inner elasticized pocket and two outside pockets. One day, the super talented woman who attempts to tame my curly hair, saw my bag and asked if I would make her daughters the same bag. They are both avid book readers and wanted a large open bag to take to the library and school. How can I say no to young readers!?!

Since I have made a few more bags since I first made this bag, I was curious about how this experience would compare to my first one. How long would it take? Would it be easier the second time around?

The pattern

I kept my original pattern. I always make notes on the pattern so I can remember any modifications later. After re-reading through the pattern, I realized I understood the directions better because I had made bags since the last one. That is not to say a beginner can not make this bag. I made the bag as a beginner. It just might take a bit longer and require dedicated concentration. (i.e. don’t sew late at night when you really need to be sleeping!) The second time around, the process was easier and I appreciated Anna’s hints about the steps. I used pre-made binding, doubled the interfacing recommendations on the exterior pieces and used batting as the interfacing for both the straps and the gusset. I stuck to the original modifications of one long cross body strap, no recessed zip or elasticized pockets and an outer pocket. (For the long cross body strap, I made my strap 2 1/2″ by 36″. Since this bag is for a high schooler, I made it 2 1/2″ by 30″.)

The bag

What you have been waiting for!

This is the outer pocket. The bird fabric is from Anna Maria Horner with the navy prints from Cotton and Steel.

I used another Cotton and Steel print for the lining of the outer pocket. You can also see the yellow binding (also known as the pop of color!)

And here is what it looks like when it is worn, on a fun directional sign and laying down!

The pattern is really fun, has many ways you can modify it and makes a professional looking bag. I have certainly beat up the bag I wear almost every day. If it gets dirty, I wash it and it’s good as new. I hope you are inspired to make your own! Thank you, Sara, for letting me be a part of your Purse Palooza!